Larry Dierker

Lawrence Edward Dierker was born September 22, 1946 in Hollywood, California. Larry was a four year letterman for his high school baseball team, and upon graduation from Taft High was drafted by the youngest team in the National League, the Houston Colt .45's. He made his major league debut on his 18th birthday in front of the hometown fans, a game he lost 3-1.

Over the next 12 years, Larry became the dominant ace of the redubbed Houston Astros staff. He won 10 games or more for the team every year from 1966 to 1976, except for 1967, when he was drafted and served in the military, and 1973, which he spent recovering from shoulder surgery. He was known for being a variety pitcher, as likely to throw a curveball as a fastball as a changeup on any pitch. In 1969 he had a breakout year, becoming the first Astros pitcher in franchise history to win 20 games while striking out 232 batters and accumulating a dazzling 2.33 ERA.

Although Dierker was a consisently excellent pitcher for the 'Stros, the team never could put together the right amount of talent and tools to win a pennant. It was no small consolation that Larry threw a no-hitter on July 9, 1976, after 3 one-hitters and a no-hitter blown in the 9th inning in his career. Larry declared it "indescribable" and stayed up celebrating until 5 A.M. the next day.

In 1977, Larry was shipped to the St. Louis Cardinals for some younger talent. He had a mixed season in a supporting role with the Cardinals, and was released in 1978. In 1980 he was picked up to provide color commentary for Astros radio, and the following year he joined the Astros' TV staff. He spent 19 years in the booth, announcing games and wearing his trademark Hawaiian shirts for postgame interviews.

In 1997, after the firing of Terry Collins, Astros owner Drayton McLane offered the managerial post to Dierker, who had never managed in professional baseball. Although there were a lot of question marks about Dierker's ability, they were laid to rest in his first season when he led the Astros to their first pennant in nearly 10 years.

The Astros would capture the National League Central pennant three more times, in 1998, 1999, and 2001. Dierker's success at the helm was never more clearer than on June 13, 1999 when, while sitting in the dugout, Dierker suffered a grand mal seizure. He was rushed to the hospital, where emergency surgery was performed to remove two knotted tumors from his brain. One month later he returned to the dugout - and was greeted by an Astrodome full of fans wearing Hawaiian shirts, in honor of their favorite pitcher and manager.

In 2001, Larry stepped down as manager of the Astros, citing personal reasons and his inability to win the World Series. In 2002, the Astros retired his number 49 jersey for all time, a fitting symbol to one of the most beloved figures in Houston sports history.